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Galaxy Z Fold 6 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra - There's A Clear Winner

So you have a decision to make. And it's a tough one. I'm making this video to help you decide whether the Galaxy S24 ultra or Z Fold 6 is the better phone for you.

Both phones have very distinct advantages in different areas. And it depends on how much weight these differences carry on your mind. 

So before you go ahead and burn your bank account to the ground like I did.

Let’s run through the pros and cons & keep a score sheet as we go through this video. Add a +1 for either phone whenever you feel it has a slight advantage. And +2 for a distinct advantage. And then you'll know which Galaxy phone is right for you.

So join me and fulfil your destiny.


Software Differences

So, let's start with some of the software differences. Both phones rock the same Samsung One UI. The user interface is identical on the face of things. 

I will only dive into some amazing UI stuff in this video. Because I have made videos dedicated to that stuff. But I will say, in my opinion, it's arguably the best skin on Android out there, and in many ways, it eclipses iOS and offers a lot more customisation than stock Android.

So, even though the UI seems identical, here are a few advantages and exclusives that the Fold 6 has. You can split the screen on the S24 ultra, and the display is large enough to accommodate app pairs on the vertical axis.

The Z Fold is better equipped for this use case. As on the inner display, you can have app pairs side by side or vertically & even create app trios. Another edge for the Z Fold is the ability to use flex mode, which can give you added tools when navigating through websites and spreadsheets.

Another advantage of the Fold having two screens. Is that you gain the ability to use both simultaneously using the Samsung interpreter app, for example. Although other use cases are pretty limited

A little side note to the Samsung software team if you see this. Let's get a few Flex mode games on the go. Battleships Connect 4, and some card games, board games, or games like that can use the cover and inner displays simultaneously.

There is another compelling advantage to having two displays. I'll show you that in a moment.


Power and Charging

So, let's talk about power. It's easy to assume that the S24 Ultra would take a quick win here because it only has one screen to power, and the battery capacity is 5000mAh compared to the Z Folds, which is 4400Ah.

But in the real world, having switched from the S24 ultra to the Z Fold 6. For these videos.

I've not at any point been disappointed with the Folds battery life. It never let me down at the end of the day. However, when I started using the S24 Ultra, I was thoroughly impressed with its battery life.

So it's very good versus great regarding battery life. But…there is a big win here for the S24 Ultra. It is the charging speed. The Z Fold 6 supports 25-watt charging, which can get you 50% in 30 mins. 

This is good, but the S24 Ultra supports 45 watts, with some users reporting getting nearly 70% in the same amount of time when super-fast charging is switched on.


The Displays

Ok, this is the most significant difference: the displays. So, let's start with the side-by-side differences with the Fold in its phone form factor.

It's wide versus thin. There are some advantages to the narrow screen, for example, being able to easily reach across the entire width. One-handed use is a plus for the folds cover screen.

However, if you have fat fingers, typing in the traditional style is tricky due to the narrow keyboard. That is why swipe typing is a necessary skill to learn on the Z Fold cover screen.

Now, something that I love about the S24 Ultra display is the Victus Armor Glass. It is an upgraded version of the Vicus 2 glass on the Z Fold & the exclusive Armo Glass has ant-reflective quality, which is such a game changer. However, that goes away as soon as you apply a screen protector. So it's a gift and curse.

I had hoped that Samsung would have brought it to the Z Fold 6…but unfortunately, not this year. So that's a clear win for the S24 Ultra, and the specs reveal some deeper differences worth noting. If you like pixel-peeping & nit-picking.

So the Folds cover screen versus the Ultra's only display is a no contest. Sort of similar to a man fighting in women's boxing...It seems unfair. But the elephant in the room and where the Z Fold sweeps the legs of the S24 Ultra

 It's the big screen. This is like the Z Fold nuclear weapon in this battle. The size advantage is clearly at play when consuming content or working with productivity tools, such as spreadsheets or graphic design apps.

And if you are the type of person who will make the most of this. You should reflect that on your score sheet. But something to consider is, of course, the crease. But wait, don't count out the Ultra just yet because it's got a trick up its sleeve, quite literally.

So, with the tap of a button just like a Bond ejector seat, You have the S24 Ultra built-in superpower. Of course, it's the S Pen. But what can it do, I hear you say? well… I'm glad you asked.

You can get the S Pen case for the Z Fold 6, but…at the time of this video. It ain't cheap and will add extra weight and thickness to a thick phone when folded up.


Size & weight

On that topic, you must weigh the pros and cons of size and weight and what you get in exchange for those compromises. 

If you're coming from a traditional regular-sized bar phone, either phone will feel like a heavyweight.

Even though the Z Fold 6 is lighter than ever, it's still on the heavier side at 239g. The S24 Ultra is now lighter, but surprisingly, it is not that much lighter. There's only a 5g difference between them.

There is a slight difference, but the big difference is in thickness: it's 12.1mm thick compared to 8.6mm on the Ultra. Of course, this story changes when it unfolds.


The Build Quality

Although this aspect will not affect how the phones perform, it may not be a game changer for you, but it is worth noting. The design aspects and materials used on these two titans are different.

Due to the folding form factor, particularly with the hinge on the Fold 6, it has a slightly lower ingress protection rating than the Ultra, with the Fold being IP48 and the Ultra being IP68. Put simply, the first number in the IP rating represents dust and the second liquid.

Armour aluminium is used here on the Fold, which is more robust than most phone metals, but a stronger and more premium Titanium is used on the S24 Ultra.

This doesn't change the user experience much, but it may make the S24 ultra more robust and scratch-resistant without a case and screen protector.

However, one losing battle for both, regardless, will always be phone versus pavement.


The Cameras

Now, the shooters. Both phones use the same Snapdragon ISP and AI engines. There are some significant differences in the hardware & there are substantial advantages to both sides.

The S24 Ultras primary camera sensor is better quality than the Z Folds. The Z Fold uses the same sensor seen in the regular S24 model. The question is, will you notice the difference? Well, you tell me.

And another advantage of the Ultra is the incredible periscope zoom. Again, this might be gimmicky to some, but others may find it to be a helpful tool. Let me see a meme.

For example, the last time I used it to solve a problem was at an airport where I sat down for coffee, and I wanted to stay in my seat by walking over to check the boarding time on my flight. So I didn't, I just used the zoom. Problem solved.

Now, here's a huge advantage of the Z Fold 6. It is its selfie capabilities. And the option to take selfies with the best cameras on the phone.

The selfie camera on the S24 ultra is good, but it cannot compete against the trio of cameras on the back of the Z Fold 6 when used for selfies. 


The Money

So, now you have a good idea of most of the pros and cons. And hopefully, you've tallied up your score sheet so far. Now, let's talk about money. 

Currently, the 256GB version of the S24 Ultra in the UK on Samsung's website is £1250. It's not cheap, but it might seem like it compared to the £1799 for the Fold with the same storage. That £550 gap is significant.

This is one more factor you need to throw into the equation. How deep are your pockets? Is £550 a drop in the ocean? If it is…lend us money, will ya? My wallet is still on fire after my last Samsung pre-orders.

So, which is your pound-for-pound champ? How did these two flagship Galaxies stack up on your score sheets? Which one is the victor and why?

I appreciate you guys reading, and I'll see you at the next one. Don't be late.